The free agent signing period begins shortly after midnight tonight, and the Browns figure to be players in that market, with roughly $32 million to spend on free agents and draft picks. Unlike other teams, and the Browns of the past, Phil Savage is quite comfortable taking advantage of the free agency period. Free agents of note are Jamal Lewis, Eric Steinbach and LeCharles Bentley.

Depending on which side of the argument you are on, the biggest free agent prize might be QB Derek Anderson. Anderson be a restricted free agent, meaning the Browns have the right to match any deal that Derek strikes with another team. As of this writing the Browns had a $20 million dollar, 3 year deal on the table for Anderson to accept. In addition, the Browns today offered him the league’s top one year tender contract of $2.562 million, which ensures that if Anderson signs with another team the Browns would be compensated a 1st and 3rd round pick from the team that signs him, should the Browns decline to match the offer.

While the Browns left the long term contract on the table, it sounds like Savage isn’t going to sit on his hands and wait for Derek to make up his mind. [Read more...]